Heading to Scotland this spring? Don't be fooled by the sunny weather - winter is not over in the Highlands yet, and hill walkers heading north are urged to be prepared.
Mountain safety expert Heather Morning warns hill walkers heading to Scotland this spring that winter is not over.
Heather, Mountain Safety Adviser with the BMC's sister organisation north of the border, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, said: “At this time of year it is really difficult to know what to expect. One day on the hill could be warm, dry and calm with good visibility, the next you could be in a blizzard.
“The important thing is to be prepared and check out the weather forecast in advance to enable you to make a decision about what kit to take.”
A particular risk lies in the underfoot conditions. The Scottish mountains hold snow long into the spring and early summer. These snow patches will often be hard and located high up on the shady, north side of the mountain. Many traditional mountain routes cross through such terrain and are the usual choice for Munro baggers. Hill walkers are advised to treat these old snow patches with caution, particularly if the ‘run out’ below is over steep ground.
Heather emphasised: “Route choice at this time of year is really important and hill walkers should consider a ‘snow free’ alternative or simply turn around.”
A classic example of a popular route still affected by snow is Coire na Tulaich on Buachaille Etive Mor, near Glen Coe. In summer, Coire na Tulaich provides the trade route up this iconic Munro but the north-facing coire holds snow well after it has disappeared elsewhere and can be extremely dangerous.
Carey Davies, the British Mountaineering Council’s (BMC) hill walking officer, said: “When spring arrives a lot of people feel the pull of the mountains and want to get outdoors again. But sometimes people get caught out at this time of year. While it may feel like spring has sprung at low levels, up on the mountain tops it can be a very different story.
“If you’re going into the hills remember you may encounter the white stuff – anything from the odd patch to large areas. So be prepared!”
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